TheCable

Seven females have been confirmed dead following an accident that occurred on Wednesday on the Sagamu-Benin expressway.

The females were said to be travelling in a Mazda bus when the vehicle suddenly burst into flames a few meters before the Odogbolu area along the expressway.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesperson of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital.

Akinbiyi said seven other persons sustained injuries in the accident, adding that it occurred around 2:50pm.

He also said the bus, marked AGL 886 YD, suddenly caught fire due to an engine overflow.

“The number of passengers in the commercial bus was 15, out of which seven females were burnt to death and seven others were seriously burnt,” he said.

“However, the driver of the bus escaped.”

According to the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), the victims were on their way to attend an Islamic training programme in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

The TRACE spokesperson added that the injured victims were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital for treatment.

He also urged motorists to service their vehicles regularly before setting out on journeys.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the victims were on their way to attend an Islamic training programme.